Next generation social networking and content rating system and method

Abstract

A system and method are described herein that leverages an IP (and in particular IMS) mobile network and a fixed network to provide a next generation social networking experience to the users of mobile terminals.

1. A method for socially networking a plurality of users of mobile terminals, said method comprising the steps of:
 enabling a first user of a first mobile terminal to setup and view a personal list which includes selected other users of other mobile terminals; 
 enabling the first user of the first mobile terminal to view presence information which indicates availability of the other users of the other mobile terminals; 
 enabling the first user of the first mobile terminal to establish communications with one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals; 
 enabling the first user of the first mobile terminal to view posted content obtained by one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals; 
 enabling the first user to receive a pop-up notification on a television/computer when one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals publishes new personal content; and 
 enabling the first user to interact with the television/computer to view and rate the new personal content. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of enabling the first user of the first mobile terminal to establish communications with one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals further includes a step of establishing either a voice call or an Instant Message interaction with the one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of enabling the first user of the first mobile terminal to view posted content obtained by one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals further includes a step of voting on the posted content which can be a photo or video by the one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of enabling the first user of the first mobile terminal to view posted content obtained by one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals further includes a step of viewing a score keeper screen which displays a predetermined number of the posted content that received a high number of votes by all or a portion of the users of the mobile terminals. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of enabling the first user of the first mobile terminal to view a social gravity screen which indicates geographical location(s) of where the posted content was obtained by the one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of enabling the first user of the first mobile terminal to take a photo or video which is then subsequently distributed to the other users of the other mobile terminals. 
     
     
       7. A mobile terminal, comprising:
 a user interface; 
 a camera; and 
 a processor which implements an application that enables a user to:
 (a) setup and view a personal list which includes other users of other mobile terminals; 
 (b) view presence information which indicates availability of the other users of the other mobile terminals; 
 (c) establish communications with one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals; 
 (d) view posted content which is obtained by one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals; 
 (e) receive a pop-up notification on a television/computer when one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals publishes new personal content; and 
 (f) interact with the television/computer to view and rate the new personal content. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The mobile terminal of  claim 7 , wherein said established communications include a voice call or an Instant Message interaction with the one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals. 
     
     
       9. The mobile terminal of  claim 7 , wherein said processor implements the application which enables the user to vote on the posted content which can be a photo or video obtained by the one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals. 
     
     
       10. The mobile terminal of  claim 7 , wherein said processor implements the application which enables the user to view a score keeper screen that displays a predetermined number of the posted content which received a high number of votes by all or a portion of the other users of the other mobile terminals. 
     
     
       11. The mobile terminal of  claim 7 , wherein said processor implements the application which enables the user to view a social gravity screen that indicates geographical location(s) of where the posted content was obtained by the one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals. 
     
     
       12. The mobile terminal of  claim 7 , wherein said processor implements the application which enables the user to take a photo or video that is then subsequently distributed to the other users of the other mobile terminals. 
     
     
       13. A method for socially networking a plurality of users of mobile terminals, said method comprising the steps of:
 enabling a first user of a first mobile terminal to setup and view a personal list which includes selected other users of other mobile terminals; 
 enabling the first user of the first mobile terminal to view presence information which indicates availability of the other users of the other mobile terminals; 
 enabling the first user of the first mobile terminal to establish communications with one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals; 
 enabling the first user of the first mobile terminal to view posted content obtained by one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals; 
 enabling publishing that the first user of the first mobile terminal has taken a photo or video; and 
 notifying the other users of the other mobile terminals about the photo or video and then subsequently distributing the photo or video to the other users of the other mobile terminals. 
 
     
     
       14. A mobile terminal, comprising:
 a user interface; 
 a camera; and 
 a processor which implements an application that enables a user to:
 (a) setup and view a personal list which includes other users of other mobile terminals; 
 (b) view presence information which indicates availability of the other users of the other mobile terminals; 
 (c) establish communications with one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals; and 
 (d) view posted content which is obtained by one or more of the other users of the other mobile terminals, 
 
 wherein the application further enables:
 (e) publishing that a photo or video has been taken by the user, and wherein the application; and 
 (f) sending of the photo or video to a server that enables the photo or video to be subsequently distributed to the other users of the other mobile terminals upon the other users of the other mobile terminals accepting a notification of the photo or video.